Wikipedia

Director of the U.S. Geological Survey

The director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is responsible for direction and leadership of the agency.[2] Within the director's office are the deputy director, who assists the director in coordination of the USGS; and eight associate directors, each overseeing a particular program, who report to the director.[3] The director is typically sworn in by the Secretary of the Interior—for example, Bruce Babbitt swore in Charles Groat,[4] and Deb Haaland swore in David Applegate.[5]

Director of the U.S. Geological Survey
since August 15, 2022
U.S. Geological Survey
Reports toAssistant Secretary for Water and Science, U.S. Department of the Interior
AppointerPresident of the United States
with advice and consent of the Senate[1]

History

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The U.S. Geological Survey was established in 1879 by an act of Congress. Clarence King was appointed as the first director.[6] King was picked because he was the leader of a USGS predecessor survey.[7]

Later, in 2018, during the confirmation of James Reilly at a hearing with the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the committee emphasized the fact that the appointee would have to protect scientific integrity within the USGS. This was a new theme, stemming from concerns over other people nominated to positions by President Trump.[8] It was also noted that Trump had taken more than a year to announce Reilley's nomination, which was noted by The Washington Post as a departure from the usual time a president would take to nominate someone for the role.[9]

List

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No. Image Name Term[10]
1   Clarence King 1879–1881
2   John Wesley Powell 1881–1894
3   Charles Doolittle Walcott 1894–1907
4   George Otis Smith 1907–1930
5   Walter Curran Mendenhall 1930–1943
6   William Embry Wrather 1943–1956
7   Thomas Brennan Nolan 1956–1965
8   William Thomas Pecora 1965–1971
9   Vincent Ellis McKelvey 1971–1978
10   Henry William Menard 1978–1981
11   Dallas Lynn Peck 1981–1993
12   Gordon P. Eaton 1994–1997
13   Charles G. Groat 1998–2005
14   Mark Myers 2006–2009
15   Marcia K. McNutt 2009–2013
16   Suzette Kimball 2015–2017
17   Jim Reilly 2018–2021
18   David Applegate 2022–present

References

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  1. ^ "Authorizations". U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  2. ^ "Office of the Director". U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  3. ^ "Office of the Director". Departmental Manual 120 DM 2. U.S. Department of the Interior. 2021-08-25. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  4. ^ Showstack, Randy (1998-11-03). "U.S. Senate confirms new USGS director". Eos. 79 (44): 534. doi:10.1029/EO079i044p00534-03.
  5. ^ Cartier, Kimberly M. S. (2022-08-26). "New USGS Director: Partnerships Are Our Superpower". Eos. 103. doi:10.1029/2022eo220409. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
  6. ^ Rabbitt, Mary C. (1986). "A Brief History of the U.S. Geological Survey". U.S. Geological Survey General Information Product.
  7. ^ Wallace, Robert E.; Scott, Stanley (1996). "Earthquakes, minerals, and me with the USGS, 1942-1995". U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 96-260. doi:10.3133/ofr96260.
  8. ^ Diep, Francie (2018-03-08). "The USGS Director's Newest Job Description: Maintaining 'Scientific Integrity'". Pacific Standard. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  9. ^ Grandoni, Dino (2020-07-17). "The Energy 202: Trump nominates USGS head. It took him more than a year". Analysis. The Washington Post. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  10. ^ "Past Directors". U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
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